Climate Deal Swing Votes Among Top Oil Money Recipients

(AP) - California Assembly members considered swing votes on legislation to reduce carbon emissions by charging polluters were among the top recipients of donations from oil companies, campaign finance filings show.

Records show oil companies in the Western States Petroleum Association and other industry groups donated more than $240,000 to Assembly members in the first half of 2017. At the time lawmakers were hotly debating extending a program that allows companies to buy and trade allowances to continue emitting greenhouse gases. The oil industry favors a market-based approach to emissions reductions over top-down state regulation.

Nine Assembly members received more than $10,000 from oil interests. Six of them are moderate Democrats or Republicans who were considered swing votes on the deal and eventually backed it. It passed the Assembly with one vote.